Terahertz Nano-Imaging of Electronic Strip Heterogeneity in a Dirac Semimetal

Emerging topological semimetals offer promise of realizing topological electronics enabled by terahertz (THz) current persistent against impurity scattering. Yet most fundamental issues remain on how to image nanoscale conductivity inhomogeneity. Here we show noninvasive and contactless conductivity mapping at THz-nm limit of electronic heterogeneity and nanostrip junctions in a Dirac material ZrTe5. A clear Dirac Fermion density transition, manifested as the exclusive THz conductivity contrast, is quantitatively analyzed and profiled on both sides of the junction. This also allows the determination of variable junction width of similar to 25-220 nm, depending on the THz conductivity contrast of adjacent strips. The unique THz-nm contrast is absent in mid-infrared nano-imaging measurements since topological semimetals with small Fermi pockets exhibit a better matching of their plasma frequency and scattering rate to the THz spectral region. The first-principles calculations provide two compelling implications: the conductivity nanocontrast can be induced by a small anisotropic strain, even less than 0.5%, due to an extreme strain sensitivity in ZrTe5; A nanoscale topological phase transition is realized across some junctions induced by the strain, between strong topological insulators (TIs) and weak TIs/Dirac semimetals (DSMs).

Automated summary

In this study, non-invasive and contactless conductivity mapping was performed at the THz-nm limit in the Dirac material ZrTe5, revealing a clear Dirac Fermion density transition and variable junction width. The unique THz-nm contrast observed in the study is absent in mid-infrared nano-imaging measurements, highlighting the potential of topological semimetals with small Fermi pockets in the THz spectral region. Additionally, first-principles calculations suggest that conductivity nanocontrast can be induced by a small anisotropic strain in ZrTe5, leading to nanoscale topological phase transitions at junctions.